Chancellor crosses Brexit red line, wants preference for EU workers

In an extraordinary leak, it was revealed that the Chancellor Philip Hammond had argued giving preferential treatment to EU workers after Brexit.

The move would effectively maintain freedom of movement, a key red line drawn by the Prime Minister and the Conservative Party.

Minutes from Chequers leaked to the Telegraph noted that the Chancellor “disagreed with the Home Secretary on labour mobility and ending free movement” after Sajid Javid said “freedom of movement must come to an end”.

Hammond’s argument is that the UK would receive a better deal from EU heavyweights including Angela Merkel – possibly showing his priorities over the votes of 17.4 million people.

The Prime Minister said as recently as March that “We are clear that as we leave the EU, free movement of people will come to an end.”

Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson had warned that the Government may seek further climbdowns on migration post-Chequers.

It is becoming clear that in order to end freedom of movement and exit the customs union and single market, full Brexit must be delivered.

17.4 million people did not vote to leave the European Union only to stay half in, half out with no control over UK borders.